The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh , held from April 3 to 5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, concluded successfully, reinforcing India’s position as a burgeoning global startup hub. The event attracted over 3,000 exhibiting startups, 1,000 investors, and 1,000 incubators and accelerators. With more than 10,000 delegates and 50,000 business visitors from across India and 50 country delegations, the Mahakumbh served as a melting pot of innovation and collaboration.
Organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and supported by key industry stakeholders such as ASSOCHAM, IVCA, and the Bootstrap Foundation, the event featured 12 thematic pavilions and tracks. These encompassed sectors like AI, Deeptech & Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, FinTech, Gaming & Sports Tech, D2C, Mobility, B2B, Precision Manufacturing, Defence & SpaceTech, and Incubators & Accelerators.
The organising committee included prominent figures such as Aman Gupta, Co-founder & CMO of boAt Lifestyle; Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner of Avaana Capital; Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-founder of Dream11; Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO of Zerodha and Rainmatter; and Peyush Bansal, CEO & Co-founder of Lenskart. Their collective efforts ensured a well-curated program that addressed the multifaceted dimensions of India’s startup ecosystem.
Day 1: Agritech and Rural Innovation at the Forefront
The inaugural day spotlighted Agritech and Rural Commerce, emphasising the pivotal role of technology in revolutionising India’s vast agricultural landscape. Discussions delved into strategies to unlock the potential of India’s $1 trillion agricultural economy through innovative solutions and sustainable practices.
Shaji KV, Chairman of NABARD, underscored the significance of startups in driving inclusive growth. He remarked, “The startup ecosystem has the power to bring inclusive growth through agriculture-led development.” This sentiment resonated with the audience, highlighting the transformative potential of agritech innovations.
The day also featured an impromptu pitch competition, where startups like Everge Agroscience Pvt Ltd and Agrolt Solutions Pvt Ltd were recognised for their ground-breaking solutions aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.
Day 2: Advancements in Defence, Space, and Precision Manufacturing
The second day was dedicated to Defence, Aerospace, and Precision Manufacturing, sectors critical to India’s strategic growth and self-reliance ambitions. Amit Satija, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, highlighted the achievements of the iDEX program, noting that it has supported over 300 startups with more than ₹445 crore in funding. He reiterated the government’s target to boost defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29, emphasising the role of startups in achieving this vision.
A landmark moment was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IN-SPACe, DTDF, and DRDO, aimed at fostering collaboration between the space and defence sectors. This partnership is expected to accelerate innovation and indigenous development in aerospace technologies.
Panel discussions also featured industry leaders who shared insights on scaling hardware startups and the importance of precision manufacturing in establishing India as a global manufacturing hub.
Day 3: Financing, Indigenous Innovation, and Future Roadmaps
The final day centered on startup financing, scale-up strategies, and indigenous innovation. Sessions featured founders of unicorns and decacorns, policy influencers, and global venture capitalists discussing pathways to nurture and finance high-growth startups.
Industry stalwarts like Ankit Mehta, Co-founder & CEO of ideaForge, shared experiences on scaling defence tech startups while maintaining a focus on innovation and quality. The discussions underscored the necessity of robust financing mechanisms and supportive policies to propel startups from ideation to global competitiveness.
A significant development was the signing of an MoU between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU). This collaboration aims to establish Centres of Excellence in energy and semiconductors, sectors poised to be pivotal in India’s technological advancement.
Prime Minister Modi’s Endorsement: A Vision for India’s Startup Future
In a compelling video address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the strides made by India’s startup ecosystem. He emphasised that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, a testament to the nation’s entrepreneurial vigor. “I could feel the vibe that India’s future holds many Unicorns and Decacorns,” he stated, expressing confidence in the trajectory of Indian startups.
The Prime Minister attributed this success to initiatives like Startup India, which have provided a robust platform for innovators, especially from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, to incubate and realise their ideas. He highlighted that over 1.25 lakh startups have been established in India, with more than 110 achieving unicorn status. Notably, he pointed out that over 45% of these startups are led by women, underscoring the inclusive nature of India’s entrepreneurial growth.
Prime Minister Modi also touched upon the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative potential. He shared his personal experiences of leveraging AI to overcome language barriers during election campaigns, illustrating the practical applications of technology in governance and communication. His address served as both a recognition of the achievements thus far and a clarion call for continued innovation and leadership in emerging technologies.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Sparks Debate on Startup Priorities
At the recent Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal ignited a significant debate within the entrepreneurial community with his candid remarks on the current trajectory of Indian startups. Goyal expressed concern that many startups are predominantly focusing on services such as rapid food and grocery delivery, which, in his view, cater primarily to the affluent and create low-skill employment opportunities. He questioned, “Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls? Making fancy ice cream and cookies… is that the destiny of India?”
Drawing a comparison with China’s startup ecosystem, Goyal highlighted that Chinese startups are making significant strides in advanced sectors like electric mobility, battery technology, robotics, and 3D manufacturing. He presented a slide titled “India vs. China. The Startup Reality Check,” emphasizing the need for Indian entrepreneurs to pivot towards high-tech innovations that can position India as a global leader in technology.
These comments elicited a spectrum of reactions from the startup community. Aadit Palicha, co-founder of quick commerce platform Zepto, defended the contributions of service-oriented startups, noting that Zepto has contributed over ₹1,000 crores in tax revenues and attracted more than a billion dollars in foreign direct investment. He argued that such ventures play a crucial role in economic growth and job creation.
Conversely, Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of Ola, supported Goyal’s perspective, acknowledging the necessity for Indian startups to elevate their ambitions and focus on deep-tech sectors to compete on a global scale.
Veteran investor Mohandas Pai also weighed in, questioning whether the government had done enough to nurture innovation in the deep-tech space. The remarks triggered a larger conversation about the diversity of India’s startup landscape and the need to value both technological breakthroughs and service-driven solutions.
In response to the backlash, Goyal termed the criticism as “unfortunate,” clarifying that his intent was to motivate startups to aspire for greater achievements in high-tech domains. He emphasized the importance of larger industry players supporting smaller startups to enhance product quality to international standards.
This discourse has sparked a broader conversation about the strategic direction of India’s startup ecosystem, balancing the immediate economic benefits of service-oriented ventures with the long-term goal of establishing a robust presence in advanced technological fields.
Final Takeaway: Collaboration is Key to the Next Phase
Despite the buzz surrounding Piyush Goyal’s remarks, the final day of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 ended on a high note, reinforcing the spirit of unity, innovation, and resilience that drives India’s entrepreneurial landscape. The event showcased the power of convergence—bringing together over 1,000 startups, 500 investors, 200 incubators, and 50+ policymakers—marking it as one of the largest startup congregations in Asia.
Held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the conclave was more than just an exhibition of ideas—it became a strategic dialogue space where government bodies, academic institutions, global investors, and entrepreneurs jointly envisioned India’s future as an innovation superpower. Sessions like ‘Tech for Bharat’, ‘Women in Startups’, ‘Deep Tech & AI’, and ‘Policy to Practice’ were not only well-attended but sparked actionable insights and new partnerships.
The collective mood was one of optimism and pragmatism. Multiple panelists across sectors emphasized that the next chapter of India’s startup story would be shaped not just by individual brilliance but by collaborative ecosystems. Startups were encouraged to form coalitions, explore co-innovation models, and align with national priorities like sustainability, digital public infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in his address, “India’s startup journey is just beginning. The world is watching, and we are ready.” His words summed up the overarching sentiment—that India is poised to take on a leadership role globally, and collaboration will be the foundation of that journey. Startup Mahakumbh 2025 proved to be more than an event; it was a movement toward a bolder, united innovation economy.
Small Enterprise India was proud to serve as an official media partner at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, amplifying the voices of India’s most promising startups and capturing the energy of one of the nation’s largest innovation summits. Through exclusive coverage, founder interviews, and on-ground insights, Small Enterprise India played a key role in bringing the event’s vision to a wider audience.
As a leading platform dedicated to empowering MSMEs and startups, Small Enterprise India has been at the forefront of driving entrepreneurial growth for over 15 years. With initiatives like Small Enterprise Business Awards, SME Learning Series, The AEONIAN startup Pitch and Awards and Kerala Statewide TalentQuest Job Fairs, the platform continues to support and celebrate India’s thriving small business ecosystem—fostering innovation, education, and access to new opportunities across sectors.